Union Rags hurt, done for the year

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags has sustained a minor tendon injury in his left front leg and will miss the remainder of the 2012 racing season, according to Russell Jones, a close longtime advisor to the colt's owner and breeder, Phyllis Wyeth.

Jones, who was attending the Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale here on Tuesday, said he heard about the injury from Union Rags' trainer, Michael Matz.

"Mrs. Wyeth is currently evaluating his future plans," Jones said in a handwritten statement. "We will have a statement describing further the injury from Dr. Kathy Anderson at Fair Hill in the morning."

Union Rags, by Dixie Union, was a disappointing seventh behind winner I'll Have Another in the Kentucky Derby after a troubled trip. But he rebounded to win the Belmont for Wyeth's Chadds Ford Stable. Earlier this year, he won the Fountain of Youth and finished third in the Florida Derby. At 2 last season he won the Champagne Stakes and the Saratoga Special.

Union Rags is out of the Gone West mare Tempo.